Think of the lizard. It spends most of its life on the ground, envying the birds and indignant at its fate and its shape. “I am the most disliked of all the creatures,” it thinks. “Ugly, repulsive, and condemned to crawl along the ground.”One day, though, Mother Nature asks the lizard to make a cocoon. The lizard is startled -it has never made a cocoon before. It thinks that it is building his tomb, and prepares to die. Although unhappy with life it has led up until then, it complains to God: “Just when I finally became accustomed to things, Lord, you take away what little I have.”In desperation, it locks himself into the cocoon and awaits the end. Some days later, it finds that it has been transformed into a beautiful Butterfly. It is able to fly to the sky, and it is greatly admired.
in Maktub by Paulo Coelho
Change is not easy it’s difficult especially when we have spent a lifetime climbing the ladder of success only to discover after years of struggling that the ladder may have been leaning against the wrong wall. Understanding change can help us to realize the process and keep us from making decisions that are based on impulse and emotions. There are steps in the change process that we must consider if we are going to transform ourselves and become the best that we can be personally and professionally.
The Change Process
Change Is A Step Of Faith – Change can be so incremental that at times we don’t even notice the small successes that occur during the process. Think of going on a diet, you may not see the weight loss right away and can get frustrated when you only see small improvements. But, if you stay the course and have the faith that the right eating will improve your health and avoid weight related issues, one pound of weight loss per week will transfer into 52 pounds of weight loss at the end of a year. The same is true of personal growth. When we rise early, speak the truth, control our anger, and treat others with kindness and respect our actions will then speak louder than words. The success we experience because of our actions will result in greater confidence and we will then be motivated to truly have a heartfelt attitude that will result in a change from the inside out. Professionally when we take the time to understand others and slowly work with them to help change their behavior our confidence will grow and we will realize the benefits of our actions. Research has shown that it takes 6-7 attempts for a person to permanently change their behavior. Be persistent and stay the course. Your confidence will grow and so will the confidence of those that you love and care about.
Change Is Painful – Often physical change can be easier than a change in our mind or emotions. Becoming more mindful can help us change physically for sure, and in reality that may be the easy part. The painful part is changing our attitudes about our circumstances, and environmental upbringing. Adopting a more positive outlook, learning to stop worrying, being more accepting of others and forgiving of life and others can be a challenge, but well worth the effort. Try to understand that you can forget the past, but at times the past won’t forget you.
Change Requires Patience and We Will Revisit Old Behaviors From Time to Time – Mistakes are made; if we have made a commitment to change our behavior or habits realize that patience with ourselves is the key. Don’t throw in the sponge if you lost your temper or ate one too many slices of pizza. Get back on track and re-commit yourself to the process and get back in the game as quick as you can. You may have failed this time, but that doesn’t make you a failure.
We Must Be Willing – Some people quit smoking every New Year’s Day only to start again when stressful situations arise. The problem is not with their attitude but with their willingness to change. When we can will ourselves to do something nothing will get in the way. We just have to want something bad enough to make the change.
It Requires Positive Thinking and Positive People – The first responsibility that we and we alone have is for our thoughts. As we think we begin to say things and act on those thoughts. Positive energy requires positive thinking. Work to fill your mind with as many positive thoughts as you can. Read inspiring books, meditate, exercise, take a yoga class, or pray. Maintain friendships with people with the same thought process and eliminate those that are negative or trying to discourage you from following your road map to success.
It Is The Prerequisite For Greatness – Because our desire is to change physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually is so important we will place them in high priority. With every great break through there will be a break with. The process will lead us down a path a path where we will realize that because we have made changes we can insert these changes in many areas of our life that benefit ourselves and others. We will become more confident and courageous and won’t fret over small things because the changes we have made have in their own way provided us with the answers to some of life’s most basic questions.
It Requires Consistency and Flexibility – If our goal is to become more punctual at work and in our personal life being consistent will help with maintaining that habit. However, others may be less concerned with being on time than you are. Be as flexible as you can be with others without compromising your values. If you are waiting for someone to show up at the coffee shop let them know that they have 15 minutes grace before you leave. Flexibility and consistency helps us establish boundaries for ourselves and for others.
It Allows Us To Evaluate Our Motives – Why do we want to change? Is it for our own self improvement, or do we want to do what someone else wants us to do? If a person is trying to meet the expectations of another person while going against their own moral compass their motives need to be reevaluated. If a person’s behavior is having a negative impact or influence on a group or a family the behavior should change for the betterment of all of the group members.
It Strengthens Our Character – The old adage that character is what we do when no one is looking has a lot of merit here. To put on a show to make people believe that you are someone that you are not is high school stuff and should be avoided. When a person is alone and can resist partaking in a negative behavior that they have been working on is true success and true character. Way down deep in the chambers of a person’s soul sits the real truth and every person has to determine if their public life and private life line up as one indivisible whole.
“Do as I say not as I do,” a statement that we are all too familiar with. My dad was a WWII veteran and came home from the service with malaria, tuberculosis, and of course post-traumatic stress disorder. He was not athletic, but his eating habits would be those that would make any keto dieter proud. A protein, a vegetable, and a baked potato, that was his dinner and nothing more; except for his desert which would be two Lucky Strike cigarettes. Yes, he smoked about a pack a day. But, he preached to me to never ever even think about smoking those cancer sticks. I listened even though many of my friends were already into the cigarette habit. The other thing that he made very clear to me was that exercise was essential for good health, even though because of cigarettes he had trouble walking a flight of stairs. The service, stress, and cigarettes took him from us at 68 years old as a result of a stroke. Hold those thoughts.
Forty years go pretty quick, at 66 I began to wonder if 68 was going to be the end of the line for me. My sister died of a stroke at 67 so I questioned my cardiologist about what could be done proactively to prevent my early demise. He told me that we should start with a coronary artery calcium scan, a simple test to measure the amount of calcium in your coronary arteries, which is a predictor of heart attack and stroke. A high score is 400, mine was around 3,000. I was catheterized and it was discovered that much of the calcium was in the distal arteries of my heart, which was a good sign, I was put on a statin medication, and was told by my cardiologist that I had to be brutally honest with him regarding any chest pain that might come my way; I had no symptoms at the time, That was February 2022.
I told my wife Pat that I was not going to get away with this. Now I was always an athlete, walking, weightlifting, jumping rope (yes jumping rope) and stretching were all part of my day and I was always looking for ways to get in extra steps or do a few push-ups. But knowing what I now knew, embarked on a high intensity program that included weighted jump ropes, dead lifts, weighted squats, rowing motion and walking 5 miles per day. July of 2022 I was working in the yard and got a pain under my sternum that felt like I just ran a 100 yard dash in 10 degree weather. It passed, and it didn’t return until September; at that point I began to experience stable angina, which is pain on exertion and usually stops when you are at rest. I continued my intense exercise regimen and this went on until the end of the year. In January I visited my cardiologist and explained my symptoms. That was January 11, 2023. He immediately scheduled me for another catheterization on January 18, 2023.
On January 15, 2023 I went out for my walk, and after about one mile my stable angina began, which I was used to. The problem was it didn’t stop after I was through exercising and got significantly worse. I texted my cardiologist (He has been my doctor for 20 years) and he told me to go to the emergency room. I made the risky decision to wait until the following morning. At 4 am I woke my wife and had her drive me to the ER. This was January 16 and I was scheduled to be catheterized on January 18. I was admitted to the hospital on the 16th and waited for the procedure.
I met with the doctor who was going to perform the procedure, he had also catheterized me the first time and we were both figuring on a stent or two. Not so, he spoke with me after the procedure and informed me that I was 99% blocked in the main artery of the heart along with 80-90% blocked in 3 other arteries of my heart. The only solution was coronary artery by-pass surgery. In reality, he was more disappointed than I was. I was sent back to my room, and the process began.
I had plenty of time to think. To think about my family history and how 20 years ago when I was going through a divorce smoked 5 packs of cigarettes a day. That was only for a short period of time but it was enough to cause such arterial inflammation that the only thing my body could do was to draw calcium to the site, which acted like spackle to protect the artery from rupturing. I also watched video after the video to help me understand what to expect throughout the process, ultimately surgery, and then post-surgery. I went into surgery around 3:30 pm on January 23, 2023.
I woke up the next day and knew from my research that I was going to have to cough up the oxygen tube in my throat which was going to hurt my chest a bit. One hard cough and it was out. I got up out of bed, with no problem, and stood up on my own with no problem and walked 1,000steps first time out while I was still in intensive care to the amazement of all staff. When I got up out of a chair on my own I informed my wife that his is why I did 100 squats a day while I was training for surgery.
I trained for a quadruple by-pass, and it worked. My squats (getting out of the chair), 5 mile walks (leg strength and muscle memory). Not to mention I was able to get out of bed on my own and walk around the cardiac ward on my own, and I was sent home 5 days after surgery. Once home I walked almost 1 mile my first time out and was up to 1.5 miles in 2 weeks.
Before I left the hospital my surgeon came in and informed me that the intense exercise that I did protected my heart and allowed it to create a collateral blood supply. He also informed me that my heart was in great shape and that the arteries and veins that were used for the grafting were also and these are his words, pristine. He informed me that the exercise that I did strengthened my heart and with the new vessels should give me another 20-25 years. Exercise is truly a new medicine.
At 68 years old I am a NASM Certified Personal Trainer. My goal as a CPT is to help those who are a bit older (my age) and want to grow a bit younger through exercise. I enjoy working with groups and individuals alike and I provide three very important components that I believe are critical pieces in the battle for longevity.
1. Companionship Support
Having someone available to help motivate you and give you a little nudge when the desire for exercise just isn’t there is so important. It keeps you from falling off the wagon of exercise and helps you meet your goals. I initially provide that companionship and will exercise with you until you get the hang of it, get on schedule and then help you discover others who are like minded and who will continue your exercise journey.
2. Instrumental Support
Instrumental support is when someone receives accurate information regarding behavior and a topic. Giving sound advice about how to achieve optimal health and fitness and providing education about the current recommendations for physical activity. Understanding what works and what doesn’t as we grow older can be a daunting task. Things like how much time I need to walk each week, what exercises give me the greatest benefit in the shortest period of time, or how to walk in doors. I provide that information for you and supply you with reading material that I have critiqued and would be appropriate to help a person meet their goals. I also will critique equipment for you, things like exercise bands, weight equipment, and at times novelty items. If you like going to the gym I will schedule time to go with you and instruct you on how to use select pieces of equipment that I believe would benefit you in your journey.
3. Social Support
Exercising in a group can help create camaraderie and can be fun and at times a bit competitive. It points people in the same direction and provides an atmosphere of love, caring, and empathy. It also can help with the development of new friendships, interests, and create some positive habits.
Exercise is a critical piece to one’s longevity, and research point to the fact that those who walk 6-9,000 steps per day reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke by 60%. This is a no-brainer so if you are not exercising have a visit with your doctor and get cleared to do so. If you are exercising realize that regular medical checkups go hand in hand with a healthy lifestyle.
Parents who are angry and irate can wreak havoc on a classroom or school where the teacher can feel harassed, intimidated, and bullied. This module will give the participants the strategies and the skills necessary to manage unruly parents and give them the skills to manage both planned and unplanned parent/teacher meetings. The participants will develop a clear understanding as to why the parents are angry and gain insight as to why these parents can make them feel so intimidated. This module will also to help alleviate the stress that can develop during parent meeting and help the teacher regain control and manage the parent/teacher relationship with confidence.
Although it is difficult to provide a concise definition for school climate, many researchers believe that it is a multidimensional construct that includes physical, social, and academic dimensions. The BPC online academy believes that school climate should focus on five key areas; Respect, Responsibility, Compliance, Safety, and Character Education. This course provides instruction,
illustrations, videos, podcasts, and activities that address these five key areas. It provides learning for all, with everything in one place and allows teachers to turn key the information in order to in-service the staff at their schools. It includes a free eBook that acts a guide as the participant completes the coursework. A certificate of completion is awarded reflecting five hours.
Much has been said over the years about the student who is difficult to manage, and who exhibits behaviors that lack a moral compass. Educators and child-care providers need strategies that address the pervasive problems of disrespect, irresponsibility and a lack of compassion for their fellow students. This module addresses the problems that are at the root of these behaviors. Character training truly makes a difference in the outcome of a student’s life. As a student builds character he/she will become more successful. Students who are taught character qualities such as honesty, reliability, diligence, and respect learn to change their behaviors from the inside out and truly understand how to self generate positive behaviors, and have a change of heart, not just a change of mind.
The idea behind this tool box is to provide as many resources as possible to help a teacher deal with the bullying epidemic. It is downloadable and has many links that can be accessed with a click. It provides material that can be added to and can be modified. It has podcasts and some very unique videocasts. Believe it or not it is a starting point for teachers and as they move forward they can create their own folder and add materials to the tool box making it their own very powerful resource that can be used to help students and other teachers deal with bullying issues in their school. Be sure to use the links, this tool box is designed to be viewed on your computer. You don’t have to be on the web as some of the links were created offline.
Successful bullying prevention includes education, preparation, and teamwork. This toolbox provides specific insights, strategies, activities, and resources to address bullying. It is designed especially for parents, caregivers, educators, and healthcare providers who work with children and youth in homes, early childhood programs, schools (K-12), after school and youth programs, camps, and healthcare settings.
This toolbox will help you:
1 Understand the extent, seriousness, and dynamics of bullying
2 Recognize and respond early and effectively to behaviors that can lead to bullying
3 Learn about new, effective strategies for preventing bullying
4 Prepare children to recognize and respond effectively to early bullying behavior
5 Teach children how everyone—bullies, victims, bystanders, and supportive adults—can help prevent and stop bullying
6 Create an environment where everyone understands that bullying behaviors are unacceptable, harmful, and preventable
7 Empower yourself and children to actively intervene to prevent and stop bullying
Parents who are angry and irate can wreak havoc in a school and can be intimidating. Learn how to defuse power struggles and maintain your dignity, and the dignity of the parent as you handle planned and unplanned parent /teacher conferences.This is a 5 hour self study course. The participants may be eligible for 5 hours of professional development credit.
